NAWCTSD Commanding Officer, Capt. Bill Reuter (right) and Executive Officer, Capt. Steve Nakagawa join members of the NAWCTSD/NSA Orlando Chief Petty Officers Association in presenting a check for $581 to the Blankner School Needy Family Fund.
NAWCTSD team gives to Orlando 'Partners in Education' school holiday toy drive
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Employees from the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) donated toys, bicycles and gift cards to support the families of underprivileged children at the Command's "Partners in Education" school.
NAWCTSD/NSA Orlando Commanding Officer, Capt. Bill Reuter, Executive Officer, Capt. Steve Nakagawa, and members of the Chief Petty Officer Association (CPOA) presented a check for $581.00 to the Blankner School Needy Family Fund during the annual toy drive delivery Dec. 14, 2011.
The CPOA provided 10 bicycles for needy students, while NAWCTSD Computer Engineer, Drew Gross donated helmets, knee and elbow pads for the students receiving the bikes. Also 53 employees donated gifts for more than 60 needy families, including 49 toys, 36 gift cards (worth a total of $915.00) and 68 gifts for parents. Every year, the command coordinates with teachers and administrators to provide donations so every child in a Blankner School family -- including siblings of students -- receives at least one holiday gift.
"The experience was heart-warming," said Partners in Education Program Coordinator, Peggy Bell in a message to the volunteers. "Your thoughtfulness and kindness are appreciated by NAWCTSD, Blankner (School) and all the families you touched this year."
In addition to the CO, XO and Bell, the following chiefs helped deliver the gifts to Blankner School: ACCS Edward Johnson, GSMC Michael Gibson, OSC Michael Horsley, SKC Gerald Howell, DCC Nelson Anestor, FCC Anthony Gatehouse, and ETC Reuel Dunn.
NAWCTSD adopted Blankner School under the Partners in Education Program in 1988 and has shared its human and material resources with Blankner every year since then. The program involves both military and civilian team members of NAWCTSD and NSA Orlando as well as the Blankner teachers, staff and students. NAWCTSD holds membership on the Blankner School Advisory Council, and sponsors a Mentor Program, Job Shadow Day, Good Conduct Medal Honor Roll Awards certificates, as well as the yearly Blankner holiday toy drive.
DCC Nelson Anestor and LSC Gerald Howell prepare to carry toys into Blankner School.
Members of the NAWCTSD/NSA Orlando CPOA unload bicycles and toys at Blankner School during the annual toy drive for underprivledged children at the command's "Partners in Education" school.